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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Boats-Ships--Submarine
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  • Ship History
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K-3

(SS-34; dp. 392 (surf.), 521 (subm.); l. 153'7"; b. 16'8"; dr. 13'1"; s. 14 k. (surf.), 10.5 k. (subm.); cpl. 28; a. 4 18" tt.; cl. K-3)

I

During construction Orca (SS-34) was renamed K-3 17 November 1911 and launched 14 March 1914 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, Calif., sponsored by Mrs. Clarence Meigs Oddie and commissioned 30 October 1914, Lt. F. T. Chew in command.

K-3 joined the 3d Submarine Division, Pacific Torpedo Flotilla 11, December 1914 and operated along the California coast developing underwater warfare tactics and coordinating the use of underseas craft with the fleet. She arrived in Hawaiian waters 14 October 1915 to perform similar exercises in the light of increasing emphasis on submarine warfare.

America's entry into World War I placed a greater urgency on the need for experienced submariners, and K-3 was dispatched to Key West, arriving 8 January 1918. For the remainder of the war she conducted patrols along the Florida coast while training men in underwater techniques. K-3 continued operations along the East Coast after the war, testing new devices such as listening gear, storage batteries and torpedoes. On 7 November 1922, the submarine arrived Hampton Roads and decommissioned there 20 February 1923. She was scrapped 3 June 1931.

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The second K-3 (SSK-3) was renamed Bonita (q.v.) 15 December 1955.

Published: Tue Jul 28 07:56:41 EDT 2015